Editing Pinus clausa (section)

==Description==
''Pinus clausa'' is a small, often [[shrub]]by [[tree]] from {{convert|5|-|10|m|ft|abbr=on}}, exceptionally to {{convert|21|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall. It is vulnerable to windfall, and stands in areas prone to hurricanes can be found leaning in the same direction.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Jennifer H. |date=1992 |title=Species: Pinus clausa |url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/pincla/all.html |access-date=30 May 2024 |website=Fire Effects Information System}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Earle |first=Christopher J. |date=3 March 2023 |title=Pinus clausa (sand pine) description |url=https://www.conifers.org/pi/Pinus_clausa.php |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=The Gymnosperm Database}}</ref>

The [[leaf|leaves]] are needle-like, in pairs, {{convert|5|-|10|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, and its [[conifer cone|cones]] are {{convert|3|-|8|cm|in|abbr=on}} long.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500926|title=Pinus clausa in Flora of North America @ efloras.org|website=www.efloras.org}}</ref>

Over much of its range, it is fire-adapted to stand-replacing [[wildfire]]s, with the cones remaining closed for many years (''clausa'' = closed), until a natural forest fire kills the mature trees and opens the cones. These then reseed the burnt ground. Some populations differ in having cones that open at maturity, with seed dispersal not relying on fires.<ref name="Moore2008">{{cite book |author1=Moore, Gerry |author2=Kershner, Bruce |author3=Craig Tufts |author4=Daniel Mathews |author5=Gil Nelson |author5-link=Gil Nelson |author6=Spellenberg, Richard |author7=Thieret, John W. |author8=Terry Purinton |author9=Block, Andrew |title=National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America |publisher=Sterling |location=New York |year=2008 |page=70 |isbn=978-1-4027-3875-3}}</ref> Without a fire every 20-60 years, Pinus clausa populations will be succeeded by oak and hickory.<ref name=":0" /> Most fires occur in the spring due to low water content in the needles and high winds. In addition, resin content is highest in the spring, causing extreme or uncontrollable fire behavior, such as a 1935 fire in [[Ocala National Forest]] that burned 5,670 acres (2,295 ha) in only 4 hours.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Ecosystems of Florida |date=1991 |publisher=University of Central Florida Press |isbn=978-0-8130-1022-9 |editor-last=Myers |editor-first=Ronald L. |edition=2. printing |location=Orlando |editor-last2=Ewel |editor-first2=John J.}}</ref>
[[File:Sand pine bark.jpg|thumb|right|Sand Pine bark]]